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RESEARCH AND

INNOVATION

Strategic Plan 2013 – 2017

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UCC Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation 2013–2017

TheStrategicPlanforResearchandInnovation,2013-2017,identifiesaquantifiablesetofkeytargets,asoutlinedintheUCCStrategicPlan:

•Increaseannualresearchincomefrom¤79min2012to¤90m

•Increasenon-Exchequerresearchfundingfrom¤22min2012to¤30m

•IncreasethenumberofstaffsupervisingPhDsby10%

•Graduate250doctoralstudentsannually

•Increasemeasuresofresearchimpacttoalevelgreaterthantheaverageglobalimpactforthesubjectarea

•Establish20additionalinvestment-readyhighpotentialspin-outcompaniesand150newjobs

ThisdocumentcomplementstheStrategicPlansofthefourCollegeswhichprovidemoredetailonspecificresearchinitiatives.Itoutlinesthecontext,strategiesandprincipalactionsthatwillsupportthedeliveryofthesekeytargets,andwillcontributetothesustainabilityandgrowthofresearchatUCC.

TheUniversityCollegeCork(UCC)StrategicPlanforResearchandInnovation,2013-2017,buildsonareasofresearchwhereabilityandsuccesshavebeenproven,whilenurturingthegrowthofnewlyemergingareas.Theseareasofresearchfocusandstrengthhavebeengroupedintofivestrategicthemeswhichalignwithareasofnationalstrategicimportanceandpriority,asidentifiedundertheNationalPrioritisationExercise.

UCCcontinuestofocusitsresearchstrategyonfacilitatingworld-classresearchinmajorCentresofExcellence.Whiletheinstitutionhasprovedverysuccessfulindevelopinginterdisciplinaryresearchcentres,asubstantialproportionoftheresearchactivityisundertakenwithintheDepartmentsandSchoolsoftheUniversity.SuchactivityiscentraltothedevelopmentofnewclustersofresearchfocusandtheseedingoffutureCentresandInstitutes.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


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INTRODUCTION

UniversityCollegeCork(UCC)isaninternationally-competitive,globally-focused,research-leduniversity.ItisIreland’sfirstfive-starUniversity1withinternationally-recognisedresearchinscience,food,engineering,medicine,business,law,socialsciencesandthehumanities.UCCisnowrankedinthetop2%ofuniversitiesworldwide1basedonthequalityofourresearchoutputandpeeresteem.OfIreland’smosthighlycitedresearchers,62%arefromUCC2andbasedoncitations,UCCisrankedbyThompsonReutersassecondintheworldforprobioticsresearch.3Overall,inthefiveyearsto2012thenumberofcitationsperjournalpublicationfromUCCresearchersgrewby30%.4

UCC’sresearchstrategyisfocusedoncreatingmajorcentresofexcellenceforworld-classresearch(AppendixA).Whiletheinstitutionhasprovedverysuccessfulindevelopinginterdisciplinaryresearchcentres,asubstantialproportionoftheresearchactivityisundertakenwithintheDepartmentsandSchoolsoftheUniversity.SuchactivityiscentraltothedevelopmentofnewclustersofresearchfocusandtheseedingoffutureCentresandInstitutes.ThefocusofcurrentandemergentresearchstrengthsiscloselyalignedwithkeyGovernmentandEuropeanCommissionpoliciesincludingtheStrategy for Science Technology and Innovation(SSTI),Building Ireland’s Smart Economy(2008),Playing to Our Strengths: The Role of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Implications for Public Policy(2010),theReportoftheInnovationTaskforce(2010),theReportoftheResearchPrioritisationSteeringGroup(2012)andtheEuropeanCommission’sHorizon2020Strategy(2012).

UCCisoneofthebest-fundedresearchuniversitiesinIreland.Despiteadverseeconomicconditions,UCC’sresearchinvestmentreachedalmost¤80millionin2011/2012,anincreaseof¤1.2milliononthepreviousyear.Non-exchequerfundingaccountedfor25%ofresearchincome,upfrom17%in2009/2010.In2011/2012,annualresearchexpenditurefromtheEuropeanCommission/FP7sourcesreached¤10.6million,a40%increasesince2008/2009.The2011/2012incomefromnewawardssecuredfromtheEuropeanCommissionwas¤13.1million,a170%increasesince2008/2009.ThissuccessinwinningEUgrantsisalsoreflectedinUCC’spositionasthemostsuccessfuluniversityinIrelandintermsofFP7successrates(23.7%).UCCresearchersnowcollaboratewithalmost700oftheworld’stopuniversitiesacross110countriesandareideallyplacedtoleveragethesecollaborationsforsuccessinfutureexchequerandnon-exchequerfundingprogrammes.

ProfessorAnitaMaguire,VicePresidentforResearchandInnovation

1 Source:QSUniversityRanking20122 Source:ISIThomsonHighlyCited3 Source:http://sciencewatch.com/ana/st/probiotics/institution/4 Source:EssentialScienceIndicators(ThomsonReuters)5 Source:ReportoftheResearchPrioritisationSteeringGroup

(http://www.djei.ie/publications/science/2012/research_prioritisation.pdf)

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MEETING THE GOALS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN (2009-2012): A REVIEW

TheUCCStrategicPlanforResearchandInnovation(2013-2017)isinformedbyourperformanceduringtheperiodofthepreviousStrategicPlanforResearch(2009-2012).Thecurrentresearchfocusbuildsonprovenabilityandsuccessinspecificareasofresearchpriorityandimportance.Inresponsetothenationalprioritisationexercise,5UCChasdefinedandaligneditsresearchstrengthstothoseareasidentifiedasofnationalstrategicimportanceandpriority.UCC’sresearchprioritiesaregroupedunderthefollowingfivestrategicthematicareas(AppendixB),asdefinedintheUCCStrategicPlanforResearch(2009-2012):

• BiologicalandMedicalSciences(includingFoodandHealth)

• Environmental,AtmosphericandOceanSciences(includingEnergy)

• PhysicalSciences,EngineeringandMathematicalSciences(includingICT)

• Arts,HumanitiesandSocialSciences• BusinessandLaw

UCC’sstrategyofinterdisciplinaryandinter-institutionresearchactivitiesisexemplifiedunderthesefivethematicareaswhichhavealldeliveredquantifiablemeasuresofsuccess.TheAlimentaryPharmabioticCentre(APC)-ledBioSciencesInstitute,theTyndallNationalInstitute(TNI),theEnvironmentalResearchInstitute(ERI)andtheInstituteforSocial

Sciencesinthe21stCentury(ISS21)areourmajorresearchinstitutes.Eachinstitutehassignificant,demonstratedresearchstrengthsthatareofnationalstrategicimportanceandhavebeenidentifiedascriticalforIreland’seconomicfuture.Inaddition,theyarecentraltoIreland’sefforttotacklekeysocietalchallengesthroughresearchleadershipandcollaborationwithEuropeanandglobalpartners.ThelocalconsolidationofexpertiseandthequantifiablesuccessoftheemerginginterdisciplinaryHealthInformationSystemsResearchCentre(HISRC),demonstratesresearchatthestrategicallyimportantinterfaceoftheCollegesofBusinessandLawandMedicineandHealth.ResearchPolicyformulationandsupporthasbeendevelopedatCollegelevelsince2008.WorktoachieveimprovedsupportandresearchoutputthroughfocusedstrategiccollaborationatCollegelevelwillcontinue.

UCCisalsohometoanumberofmorespecialisedresearchcentresandinstitutesincludingtheAnalyticalandBiologicalChemistryResearchFacility(ABCRF),theCorkConstraintComputationCentre(4C),theCentreforCo-operativeStudies,theCentreforCriminalJusticeandHumanRights,theFinancialServicesInnovationCentre(FSIC)andtheproposedInstituteofFoodResearchandInnovation(IFRI)(SeeAppendixAforfulllistofUCCResearchCentresandInstitutes).Thespecialisedclusters

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UCCStrategicPlanforResearchandInnovation2013–2017

ofexpertise,togetherwiththecollaborativefocusoftheSFI-fundedStrategicResearchClustersandtheEnterpriseIreland/IDA-fundedTechnologyCentresarekeycomponentsofourresearchstrategy.ThesetransformationalclustersofexpertiseincludetheCollaborativeCentreforAppliedNanotechnology(CCAN),theMicroelectronicsCircuitsCentreIreland(MCCI)andtheInternationalEnergyResearchCentre(IERC),atTyndallNationalInstitute,andtheFinancialServicesGovernanceandRiskCompliance-basedTechnologyCentre.

Anambitiousresearchstrategyoverthelast15yearshassupportedthedevelopmentofworld-leadingclustersofresearchers,buildingontheresearchstrengthsoftheUniversity.ThesuccessofthisstrategicapproachwasevidentintheoutcomeoftheScienceFoundationIrelandResearchCentresProgramme(2012).OfthesevennationalResearchCentresfunded,UCCleadsfour,co-leadsone,andisapartnerintheremainingtwo.TheUCC-ledCentresare:theAlimentaryPharmabioticCentre(APC),theIrishCentreforFetalandNeonatalTranslationalResearch(INFANT),theIrishPhotonicIntegrationResearchCentre(I-PIC)andtheCentreforMarineRenewableEnergyIreland(MaREI).InadditiontheCentreco-ledbyUCCisIreland’sBigDataandAnalyticsCentre(INSIGHT).EachofthespecialistUCCResearchCentres,Institutesandresearchclustershaveanindustry-relevantresearchfocusthatbooststhecompetitivenessofbusinessesinIrelandinkeymarkets.

UCChasanextensivenetworkofnationalandinternationalresearchcollaborationsinestablishedandemergentareasofstrategicimportance.KeystrategicresearchpartnershipsincludetheIrishMaritimeandEnergyResourceCluster(IMERC),auniquetripartitealliancebetweenUCC,CorkInstituteofTechnologyandtheIrishNavalService(INS).Aspartofthisinitiative,andwithintheoverallstrategyoftheERI,UCCisdevelopingthelargestmarinerenewableenergyresearchfacilityintheworld—theBeaufortLaboratory—ontheIMERCCampusinRingaskiddy.TheIrishmarinerenewableenergysectoralsobenefitsfroma¤9millionEUfundedUCC-ledinitiativeprovidingaccesstoresearchinfrastructureto28marinerenewableenergycentresacross12countries.UCChasalsodevelopedalong-termcollaborativepartnershipwithTeagasc(theAgricultureandFoodDevelopmentAuthority).TheUCC/TeagascStrategicAllianceinFoodResearchfocusesonthenationallyimportantFoodandHealthresearchthemewithintheUniversity.

AssessingResearchPerformance

In2009,UCCwasthefirstuniversityinIrelandtoundertakeacomprehensiveandfocusedreviewofresearchactivityacrosstheentireinstitution.Researchperformanceofallstaffwasevaluatedagainstinternationalstandardsandcriteria,inanindependentprocessinvolvingsome115internationalexpertsin15panels.Thereviewconfirmedthattheuniversityhasachieveddistinctioninitsresearchoutputaswellasconsiderablesuccessinthetransferofresearchtothemarketplace,withmanyareasperformingatthehighestinternationallevel.Akeyoutcomeoftheexercisewastheconclusionthat18%oftheresearchoutputwasdeemed“outstanding ”ataninternationallevelintermsoforiginality,significanceandrigor,36%wasregardedas“excellent ”,and22%“very good ”andlikelytohaveasignificantimpactonresearchand/orpolicyagendas.Afullreportofthe2009ResearchQualityReview(RQR)waspublishedandisavailableatthefollowinglink:http://www.ucc.ie/en/qpu/rqr/.

UCCisalsoundertakingaResearchEvaluationExercise(REE)thatwillreviewtotalresearch/research-relatedactivity,intandemwiththeresearchenvironment,overtheperiodJanuary2008toDecember2014(inclusive).ThisreviewwillgenerateanOverallResearchEvaluationScoreoverfivegrades,asdeterminedbyinternationaldisciplinarynorms.AssessmentofthequalityandfocusofitsresearchactivitywillprovideUCCwithbenchmarkingandevidenceofthebenefitsofinvestment.ItwillprovidetheoverallcontextforfutureallocationofresourcesinsupportofresearchactivityandproductivityatUCC.

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PolicyDevelopment

ImprovingUCC’sagilitytofacilitaterapidadaptationtothedynamicexternalresearchenvironment,andproactivelyanticipatenewopportunities,isanincreasingstrategicimperative.AmajorrevisionofinternalUCCpoliciesrelevanttotheresearchmissionwasdrivenbytheneedfortheUniversitytohavethetoolstothriveinthisenvironmentandtoensuretheremovalofconstraintsthatimpactoncompetitiveness.Inthecontextofthestrategicallyimportantroleofresearchstaff,aprojectledbytheDepartmentofHumanResourcesinpartnershipwiththeOfficeoftheVicePresidentforResearchandInnovation(OVPRI)wasundertakentodeveloppoliciesandproceduresthatsupportthedevelopmentofresearchstaffintheinstitution.ThiscomprehensiveemploymentandcareermanagementstructureforresearchstaffisinlinewiththeAdvisoryScienceCouncilReport‘Towards a Framework for Researcher Careers’.Initiativesimplementedinclude:acareerdevelopmentandcomplementarytrainingstructureforresearchstaff;aresearcherrecruitmentpolicy;anewresearchercareerstructure;andanenhancedemploymentcontractmanagementpolicy.AregulationfortheappointmentofResearchProfessorswasalsointroducedin2012.Otherresearchpolicyinitiativesincludedtheintroductionofasimpler,moretransparentoverheadallocationmethodology,aproceduretorecognisetheroleofcontractresearchersinwritinggrantapplications,andthecreationofaninternalStrategicResearchFund(SRF).TheSRFishelpingtheUniversitytostimulatenewresearchareasthatarealignedwithlocal,regionalandnationalpriorities,andwillhelptoensurethesustainabilityanddevelopmentofexistingandemergingresearchstrengthssothattheUCCcontinuestobuildcriticalmassinareasthat

underpineconomicandsocietalgrowth.Inaddition,in2012,theinauguralUCCResearchAwardsceremonywasheldtorecogniseandcelebrateresearcherswhomadeexceptionalandinfluentialresearchcontributions,pushingboundaries,enhancingknowledgeandraisingthenationalandinternationalresearchprofileofUCC.

EnhancedResearchSupportDelivery

DuringtheperiodofthelastStrategicPlan(2009-2012),acomprehensiveanalysisofresearchsupportservicesprovidedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforResearchandInnovation(OVPRI)wasundertaken.Thisincludedanextensivereviewofinternationalbestpracticeintheareaofresearchsupportprovision.Keyoutcomesofthisexerciseincludedthe:

a. developmentandimplementationofarevisedresearchsupportorganisationalstructuretodeliverenhanced,targetedsupporttotheUCCresearchcommunity

b.provisionofeffectiveleadershipoftheUniversityresearchsupportfunctionintothefuture.

AdditionalobjectivesdetailedintheResearchSupportServices(RSS)restructuringplanthatwereachievedincludedtheappointmentofkeyRSSstaff,thedevelopmentofcloserfunctionallinkswiththefourColleges,andthelaunchofanew,user-friendlyResearchSupportServiceswebsite(http://www.ucc.ie/research/rio).InitiativestostreamlinetheoperatinginterfacebetweenResearchSupportServicesandothercentraladministrativeunitswerealsoundertaken,includingthesuccessfulimplementationofnewmulti-unitprocesstomanagethepost-awardadministrationofresearchcontracts.


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Theroll-outofUCC’snewInstitutionalResearchInformationSystem(IRIS)wascompletedin2011.Aneasy-to-use,web-basedapplicationthatallowsUCCresearcherstomaintainandpublicisetheirresearchprofiles,IRISalsoallowsthecaptureoftheUniversity’sresearchoutputsandsignificantlyenhancestheefficientandtimelydisseminationofourresearchstrengthsandactivities.SignificantadditionaldevelopmentstoIRISfunctionalityincludetheimplementationofanewresearchfundingproposal(reviewandapproval)workflowandseamlessintegrationbetweenIRISandtheUCCfinancialdatabase.ThemigrationtoIRISofworkflowssupportingUniversityconsultancyapprovalsanddeclarationsisunderdevelopment.

SupportingtheInnovationAgenda

UCCplaysakeyroleinthedevelopmentofIreland’sknowledge-basedeconomyandprovidesstrongsupportforentrepreneurshipandnewbusinesscreation,withentrepreneurshipeducationmodulesavailabletoallstudents.UCC’sfocusisonresearchandinnovationthatleadstothecreationofhigh-valuejobs;theexploitationofresearchthroughtechnologytransfer,licensingandspin-outcompanieswillprovidethevalueofreturnoninvestment.

ResponsibilityforprovisionofcommercialisationsupportservicesatUCCresideswiththeOfficeofTechnologyTransfer(OTT).Thisofficesupportsandmanagestheidentification,capture,protectionandexploitationofIntellectualProperty(IP)throughlicensingtoexistingcompaniesandthroughtheformationofstart-upcompaniesarisingfromresearchattheUniversity.ThisofficealsohasaprimaryIndustryLiaisonroleinpromotingandenablingUniversityengagementwithindustrythroughcollaborativeresearchandinnovationsupport.

Sincetheearly1980s,UCChasbeentotheforenationallyindevelopingacapacityforcommercialisationofitsresearchoutputsandsupportingindustry.ItwasthefirstIrishuniversitytoestablishaTechnologyTransferpolicy,adedicatedIndustrialLiaisonOfficeandtoestablishacampuscompany.Since1982UCChasestablished18highpotentialstart-up(HPSU)companies,tenofwhichwereformedinthelast5years.Mosthaveproventoberobustanddurablecompaniesemployinghighlyqualified3rdand4thlevelgraduatesandexperiencedentrepreneursintheregion.By2012,fifteenofthesecompanieswerestillinoperationandemployinginexcessof150people.

Inthepast5yearsUCChasundertakensignificantcapacity-buildingwithrespectto

TechnologyTransfer.Thishasenabledmoredynamicandproductiveengagementwiththeresearchcommunity,industryanddevelopmentagenciessuchasEnterpriseIrelandandtheIDA.InadditiontoacceleratingtherateofHPSUformation,thishasresultedina55%increaseintherateofinventiondiscoveryandpatenting,anda217%increaseinlicensingactivity.ThishasalsounderpinnedUCC’scapacitytosupportcollaborativeresearchwithindustryandhasresultedin44significant(value>¤25K)industrycollaborationsinthelast2years.

Inrecentyears,UCChassignificantlyenhanceditspotentialtofurthersupportentrepreneurship,innovationandcollaborativeR&Dthroughtheestablishmentof,anddedicationofresourcesto,thegatewayUCCInnovation&EnterpriseCentreandtheIGNITEprogram.Bytheendof2012gatewayUCCwillhaveincubated12companiesinvolving90jobsoperatinginsuchdiverseareasasLifesciences,medicalfoods,ITandmedicaldiagnostics,whiletheIGNITEprogramhassupported27companiesbetween2011and2013.

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TheExternalEnvironment

ThedriveandabilitytofullyexploitUCC’sresearchpotentialisheavilyreliantonexternalfactorsandopportunities.Overthelastfiveyearstherehasbeenasignificanteconomicshiftfromapositionofprosperitytooneofausterityandrecession.Withthishascomearecognitionthatatransformationofthehighereducationsectorisrequiredtoprepareforeconomicrecoverybydeliveringknowledgeandlearningoflastingcultural,socialandeconomicsignificance.6Emphasisingthecentralroleofuniversitiesinmeetingtheneedsofregionaldevelopmentandtheeconomy,in2012thereportontheNationalResearchPrioritisationExercise5identified14priorityareasand6underpinningscienceandtechnologyareasthatwillbecomethefocusofexchequerinvestmentinresearchandinnovation.Thisprocesstoidentifyareasofnationalstrategicimportancefocusedonareasofenterpriseandpotentialforeconomicandsocietalreturn,thusthe14priorityareasidentifieddonotfullyencompassthebroadscopeofresearchactivityatUCC.Exchequerfunding,whilefocusedonthepriorityandunderpinningareas,willalsocontinuetosupportexcellentresearchforknowledge,educationand/orpolicy.

UCChasmappeditsresearchstrengthstothesepriorityandunderpinningareastomaximiseresearchopportunitiesforresearchersinestablishedandemergingareasofstrategicimportance(AppendixC;AppendixD).ThisdiverserangeofdemonstrableresearchstrengthsensuresthatUCCiswell-placedtorespondandadapttothechallengingandcontinuallychangingnatureoftheresearchlandscape.UCCisbuildingonitsstrengthstobenationallyandinternationallycompetitiveinadifficultmarket,bestplacedtoattractresearchinvestmentandforeigndirectinvestmenttoIreland.

ThefivestrategicthematicareasthatformthebasisofUCC’sstrategicresearchfocusmaptoboththeidentifiedpriorityareasforexchequerinvestmentinscience,technologyandinnovationandthefocusoffutureEuropeaninvestment.Horizon2020,the¤70billionEuropeaninvestmentinresearchandinnovation,aimstoimproveEurope’sglobalcompetitivenessbyprovidinganintegratedprogrammeofactivitiesthatbettercomplementandcoordinatenationalactivities.Horizon2020hasfourmainareasoffocus:excellentscience,developingindustrialleadership,boostingcompetitivenessandaddressingthesocietalgrandchallengesof:

• Health,demographicchangeandwellbeing• Foodsecurityandthebio-basedeconomy• Secure,cleanandefficientenergy• Smart,greenandintegratedtransport• Supplyofrawmaterials,resourceefficiency

andclimateaction• Inclusive,innovativeandreflectivesocieties.

TheconsolidationandfocusofresearchstrengthsmeansUCCisideallyplacedtoresponddirectlytothechallengesidentifiedintheHorizon2020strategy,contributingacrossthevaluechainfromresearchtomarket.UCChasthecapacitytoprovidetheknowledge-baserequiredtoaddresstheseidentifiedcommonconcernsofEuropeanandglobalpopulations.Itwillpresentinnovative,integrated,multi-disciplinaryapproaches,includinginitiativesspanningthehumanities,socialsciencesandthesciencesandtheintegrationofsmallandlarge-scaleindustry,tomaximiseparticipationandsuccessinthisprogramme.

6 Source:NationalStrategyforHigherEducationto2030(http://www.hea.ie/files/files/DES_Higher_Ed_Main_Report.pdf)


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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

VISIONTosupportUCC’sgoalofbecomingIreland’sexemplarycomprehensiveresearchuniversitybyprovidingtheguidanceandsupportrequiredtorealisethepotentialofUCC’sresearchcommunity.UCCwillcontributetothedevelopmentofIreland’sknowledge-basedeconomyandprovidesupportforentrepreneurship,innovationandnewbusinesscreation.

VALUESWeaimtodeliveraqualityservicetothediverseUCCresearchcommunity,asasinglepointofknowledgeprovidingsupportandadynamicresponsetothecontinuallytransformingnationalandinternationalresearchlandscape.Wewillprovideresponsibleleadership,excellence,initiative,professionalism,integrityandrespect,workingtothehigheststandardsinallofourendeavors.

MISSIONTosupportanddevelopUCCresearchactivitiesforthegeneration,protectionanddisseminationofknowledgeatthehighestlevelofexcellence.Wewilldrivethepursuitofknowledge,innovation,creativityanddiscoverybyprovidingleadershipandsupportineveryaspectoftheplanning,funding,execution,applicationandexploitationofresearch.WewillleadthecommercialisationofUCCresearchactivity,andseektopromotenationaleconomicdevelopmentandjobcreationthroughthecoherentdeliveryofinnovationandentrepreneurshipinitiatives.WewillcommunicateknowledgecreatedbytheUCCresearchcommunity,forallstakeholdersonaglobalstage,includingthescientificcommunity,thegeneralpublic,policymakersandindustry,regardingthequality,breadthandsignificanceofresearchatUCC.

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STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL ACTIONS

Strategies

UCC’skeystrategicaimistobeIreland’sleadinguniversityandtobeapremierEuropeanresearchuniversity.Insupportofthis,andthroughconsultationwiththeUCCresearchcommunity,research,discovery,innovationandcommercialisationwillbeenhancedby:

• concentratingresearchresourcesinareasthatareproducingresearchatthehighestinternationallevels

• consolidatingresearchactivitiesthroughclusteringtoestablishcriticalmassinorganisedresearchunitswhileenablingtheindividualresearcher

• promotingandsupportinglargescaleinterdisciplinaryresearchprojectsandnewemergingareasofresearchthatareconsistentwithnationalandinternationalpriorities

• developinganinfrastructuralandpolicyenvironmentthatmaximisestheresearchpotentialofallUCCresearchers

• enhancingresearchinfrastructuralsupportforArts,Humanities,SocialSciences,BusinessandLaw(includingspaceprovisionfortheexpandingpostdoctoralprogramme)

• achievingnationalleadershipinourkeystrategicresearchareas,asdefinedbymeasuresofresearchimpact,accordingtodisciplinarynorms

• leveragingnationalinvestmentsinresearchthroughparticipationin,andleadershipof,largeresearchprojectsatEuropeanlevel

• improvingtheinternationalprofileofUCCasacentreofexcellenceforresearchtraining

• strengtheningtheinterconnectivitybetweenresearchandteaching/learning,includingtheparticipationofundergraduatestudentsinUniversityresearchprogrammes

• ensuringthatUCCisalocationofchoiceforinternationallycompetitivejuniorandseniorresearchers

• increasingtheproportionofresearchfundingfromnon-Exchequersources,specificallytargetingEUfundingandindustrysources

• enhancingthequalityofpostgraduateresearcheducationthroughtheprovisionofstructuredtraining,supportandanenvironmentthatisconsistentwithinternationalbestpractice

• partneringwithIrishandinternationalinstitutionstodeliverexcellenceinresearch,commercialisationandknowledgetransfer

• drivingthecommercialisationofresearchandtechnologytransfer,throughmechanismssuchaslicensing,patents,creatingspin-outcompaniesandsupportingexternalstart-upcompanies

• engagingproactivelywithgovernment,developmentagencies,professionalorganisations,businessandindustryandthewidercommunity,tostimulateeconomic,social,andculturaldevelopment

• instillingastrongcultureofentrepreneurshipandinnovationthroughouttheUniversity

• ensuringcoherencebetweenallelementsofInnovationacrosstheUniversity,includingentrepreneurship,commercialisation,knowledgetransfer,education,consultancy

• improvingUCC’spositionasaproviderofchoiceforresearchconsultancyservicesinkeyareas

• doublingUCC’sannualoutputofstart-upcompaniesby2015

• developingaplanforaUCCCentreforEntrepreneurshipandInnovationattheCorkScienceandInnovationPark.


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PrincipalActions

A.ExploitingourPotential:ResearchSupportandStakeholderEngagement

ThesustainabilityofresearchinUCCisdependentonbothinternalandexternaldrivers.Asthefocusshiftsfromexchequerfundingsources,whichareincreasinglydependentonperformanceandoutcomes,tothatofnon-exchequersources,includingindustry,UCCmustpreparetobebestplacedtoexploittheseopportunities.Wewilldothisby:

1. EnsuringtheSustainabilityofResearchinUCC—DiversificationofFundingSources

ToachieveitsgoalofbecomingtheleadingIrishinstitutionintheexploitationofnon-exchequerfundingopportunities,UCCaimsto:

a. Establishacost-neutralEuropeanProjectSupportOfficethatpromotesengagementinFP7/Horizon2020throughtheprovisionofacomprehensivepre-andpost-awardprojectmanagementservice

b. Enhanceprocessestofacilitateandenableexternalcollaborationincludingwithenterprisepartners

c. EngagewithfoundationsandothersourcesofphilanthropicsupportthroughclosercollaborationwiththeUCCDevelopmentOfficeandCorkUniversityFoundation

d.IdentifynewfundingsourcesandmaptocurrentandemergingresearchstrengthsacrossalldisciplinesinaprocessthatanticipatesandcreatesopportunitiesforUCCresearchers

e. ExpandthepoolofUCCresearchersthatsecuresexternalfundingthroughtheprovisionofproactivesupportandtraining,withafocusonnon-exchequerfundingopportunities

f. EstablishaSupportUnitthatmaximisestheconsultancypotentialofUCCresearchactivities

g.Activelyseektheagreementoffunderstocoverthefulleconomiccostofresearchinthedeliveryofcontinuedresearchexcellenceandinaddressingsocietalchallenges.

2.EnsuringtheSustainabilityofResearchinUCC—StrategicAllocationofResourcesandDevelopmentoftheResearchEnvironment

Tosupporttheresearchcommunityinbecoming

nationalandinternationalresearchleaders,anddeliveringinareasofcurrentandemergingstrategicimportance,UCCaimsto:

a. Establishprocessesthatdefineandplaceresearchandinnovationprioritiesattheheartofdecisionmakinginrelationtoresourceallocation

b.Enhanceandstreamlinetechnicalandadministrativeresearchinfrastructure:

I. Establishdefinedthematicresearchclusters,cognisantofnationalandinternationalpriorities,andmapcurrentUCCresearchactivitytotheseclusters

II. Mapinstitutionalresearchinfrastructureandidentifyredundancyandgaps

III. Contributetoaprocessthatdevelopsandsustainsnationalinfrastructureinitiatives

IV. Inparallelwiththeestablishmentofdefinedthematicresearchclusters,developcoretechnologyplatformfacilitiesthatpromoteeconomyofscaleandvalueformoney

V. Developsharedadministrativefunctionsatalocallevel.

3.EnsuringtheSustainabilityofResearchinUCC—EnhancetheReputationofUCCasanExcellentResearchCareerChoice

Toattractandretainresearchersofthehighest

qualityandpotential,UCCwill:

a. EnsureUCCresearchershaveopportunitiestodevelopandenhancetheircareerthroughaccesstoastructuredtrainingandmentoringframework.IncentiviseresearchcareerdevelopmentthroughtheStrategicResearchFund

b.DevelopinitiativesthatensureUCCisanattractivelocationfortopinternationalresearchersincludingtheestablishmentofmechanismsthatincentiviseandrewardhighperformingresearchers

c. ExplorestructuredprofessionaldevelopmentandcareerprogressionforResearchAdministratorsandtakealeadershiprole,atanationallevel,inthedevelopmentofthisagenda

d.EngageintheEuropeanCommission-ledprocesstosupporttheimplementationoftheprinciplesoftheEuropean Charter for Researchers & the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers,andearntheHRExcellenceinResearchaccreditation.

4.EnsuringtheSustainabilityofResearchinUCC—EnhancedandProactiveResearchSupportService

Tosupporttheresearchcommunityinidentifying,planning,executingandappropriatelyexploitingresearchopportunitiesanddisseminatingresearchoutcomes,UCCaimsto:

a. Deliveranenhancedresearchsupportservice—pre-andpost-award—thatisagileandresponsive,andwhichmeetstherequirementsofallourinternalandexternalstakeholders

b.ImplementappropriatebusinessandITprocessesthatunderpinandaddvaluetooursupportservices

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c. Incorporatetheefficientuseofresearch,technologytransferandinnovationmetrics,andinternationalbenchmarking,instrategicplanning,performancemonitoringandresourceallocation,takingadvantageoftheIRISplatformandtherecentavailabilityoftheThomsonReutersanalytictool,Incites

d.Workatanationalleveltodevelopmechanismsthatcaptureresearchandinnovationimpactbeyondstandardmetrics

e. WorkcloselywiththeCollegeResearchCommitteesandthesupportstaffofDepartments,Schools,InstitutesandCentrestoestablishaneffectivenetworkofresearchsupportacrosstheUniversity

f. Takeadvantageofanenhancedresearchsupportnetworktoimprovecollectivedecision-makingatinstitutionallevelthatisresponsivetotheenergyandinitiativeofindividualresearchersbutwhichiswell-attunedtothescaleandpaceofchangeintheexternalenvironment

g.Developprofessionalstrategicallianceswithkeyinstitutionstoestablishandmaintainbestpracticeintheprovisionofresearchsupportandmanagement.

5.DevelopanOutreachandExternalEngagementStrategyincorporatingthefollowingGoals:

a. RefineandexploittheUCCresearchbrandnationallyandinternationally,ensuringthattheimpactofourresearchisvisibletoallstakeholdersincludingpolicymakers

b.StrengthenexternalengagementsothatUCCisstrategicallypositionedtoanticipatefutureopportunities

c. Establishstrategicallianceswithkeyexternalpublicandprivateorganisations,providinginternationalexposurefortheinstitution,andbuildstrongerrelationshipswithnational/internationalbodiesandleaders.

B.DeliveringEconomicandSocietalImpact:Innovation

6.DevelopUCC’sInnovationPlatform Tomeetnationaleconomicdevelopmentandjob

creationneedsthroughthecoherentdeliveryofinnovationandentrepreneurshipinitiatives,UCCwill:

a. Provideeffectivecommercialisationofresearchoutputsrecognisingthenecessitytobenefittheregionalandnationaleconomyinadditiontounderpinningbenefitsfortheuniversity

b.ProvideanenhancedmodelforindustrycollaborationpromotingandsustainingUCCroleasaneffectivepartnerforcompaniesseekingtoinnovateinareasofUCCexpertise

c. Deliverourtechnologytransferandinnovationservicesthroughtheapplicationofbestinternationalpracticeinthecontextof:

I. Establishmentandleadershipoftheinter-institutional“UCTTechnologyTransferConsortium”inconjunctionwithTeagascandCorkInstituteofTechnology(CIT)

II. therecentlypublishedNationalGuidelinesforresearchcommercialisation.7

d.FurtherdevelopmentofthegatewayUCCIncubationFacilityandtheIGNITEProgramme:UCC’sGraduateBusinessInnovationCentre

e. DevelopaHealthcareandTechnologyInnovationCluster

f. Enhancedeliveryofentrepreneurshipeducation

g.DeliverontheNationalHealthInnovationHubinitiative

7 Source:PuttingpublicresearchtoworkforIreland:PoliciesandprocedurestohelpindustrymakegooduseofIreland’spublicresearchinstitutions(2012).(www.djei.ie/publications/science/2012/Intellectual_Property_Protocol_Putting_Public_Research_to_Work_for_Ireland.pdf)


12

h. ProvideleadershipinthedevelopmentoftheCorkScienceandInnovationParkincooperationwithCorkCityCouncil,CorkCountyCouncil,CIT,theIDAandEI.

i. Increasethenumberoftechnologylicensestoindustryby18%

j. Increasethenumberofsignificantindustrycollaborativeagreementsby67%

k. Controltheincreaseofpatentfilingactivitytowithin10%above2012levels.

7. DevelopandinformUCC’spoliciesandproceduresrelatingtocommercialisationofitsresearchandspin-outcompanyformation,withaviewtoimprovingtheefficiencyandqualityofindustryandstakeholderengagement,andincreasingtheannualrateofstart-upcompanyformationby33%.

8.DevelopUCC’snationalandinternationalnetworkofentrepreneurs,industrylicensingprofessionals,businessmentorsandadvisorswithaviewtoenhancingthequalityofadviceandsupportavailabletoUCCentrepreneursanddefiningrelevantinnovationsupportinitiatives.

9.Exploitresearchandinnovationopportunitiesacrosstraditionaldisciplinaryboundaries

a. Ensurethedeliveryofpoliciesandprocessesthatenableandfacilitateinternalandexternalinterdisciplinarycollaboration

b.IncentivisenewinterdisciplinaryengagementviatheStrategicResearchFundandpartnershipwiththeColleges

c. Developtheinterfacebetweenthehumanitiesandscience,medicineandtechnology.

C.StrategicDevelopment:CurrentandEmergingResearchStrengths

ThesustainabilityofresearchinUCCisdependentonbothinternalandexternaldrivers.Wewillbuildonthesuccessfulconsolidationofresearchexpertiseinareasofstrategicimportance,andidentifyandsupportemergingareasofstrategicimportancetobroadenUCC’sresearchsignificance.Buildingontheresearchgoals,asdetailedintheStrategicplansofthefourColleges,UCCwill:

10.Expanditsresearchmissionthrough:

a. ThecontinuedgrowthofmajorresearchinitiativesincludingtheTyndallNationalInstitute(TNI),theAlimentaryPharmabioticCentre(APC)andtheEnvironmentalResearchInstitute(ERI)

b.TheconsolidationofstrategicinterdisciplinaryinitiativessuchastheInstituteforSocialSciencesinthe21stCentury(ISS21)andtheHealthInformationSystemsResearchCentre(HISRC)

c. Thedevelopmentofnewpotentiallyworld-leadingresearchcentresdeliveredviaaprocessofconsultationwiththeresearchcommunity,resourceallocation,prioritisationandalignmentwithexternalfundingopportunities

d.ConsolidationoftheresearchactivitiesofDepartments,SchoolsandResearchCentresinvolvedinFoodresearchintheproposedInstituteforFoodResearchandInnovation(IFRI),whichwillmaintainandbuildnewstrategicallianceswithnationalandinternationalcentresofexcellenceandpresentasinglepointofcontactforengagementwiththefoodindustry

e. Enhancingexistingresearchclustersinareasofspecialisedexpertise.

11.Developkeyareasofemergingresearchexpertiseincluding:

a. TheestablishmentoftheBeaufortLaboratoryontheIMERCCampusasthelargestmarinerenewableenergyresearchfacilityintheworld

b.DevelopingUCCastheleadingIrishuniversityincomputing,informaticsandrelatedareas(GeorgeBooleInstitute)

c. EstablishingaDigitalAcademytoexploitthehumanities-sciencesinterfaceasauniquefeatureofUCCresearch

d.Strengtheningandfocusingthehealthresearchbasebyinvestingingastrointestinalhealth,cancerresearch,womenandchildren’shealth,publichealthandsimulationresearchwiththeaimofachievinginstitutestatusforthesefiveprovenresearchthemeswithinfiveyears(“FiveinFive”).

13


Theoutcomesoftheactivitiesencapsulatedbytheprincipalactionsandstrategiesthat

supportUCC’sresearchvisionmustbequantifiable.Keytargetshavebeenidentifiedinthe

UniversityStrategicPlan(2013-2017)(http://www.ucc.ie/en/strategicplanning/2013/).

WewillsupporttheCollegesinthedeliveryofthefollowingtargetsby2017:

• Increaseannualresearchincomefrom¤79min2012to¤90m

• Increasenon-Exchequerresearchfundingfrom¤22min2012to¤30m

• IncreasethenumberofstaffsupervisingPhDsby10%

• Graduate250doctoralstudentsannually

• Increasemeasuresofresearchimpacttoalevelgreaterthanthe

averageglobalimpactforthesubjectarea

• Establish20additionalinvestment-readyhighpotentialspin-out

companiesand150newjobs.

TARGETS


14

AppendixA:UCCCentresandInstitutes

1. BiologicalandMedicalSciences

• AlimentaryPharmabioticCentre(APC)

• AnalyticalandBiologicalChemistryResearchFacility(ABCRF)

• AnuResearchCentre

• BiomeritResearchCentre(Biomerit)

• BioSciencesInstitute(BSI)

• CentreforResearchinVascularBiology(CRVB)

• CentreforMaternalandChildEnquiries(MDEIreland)

• CorkCancerResearchCentre(CCRC)

• CorkNeuroscienceGroup(CNG)

• ELDERMET

• EuropeanCentreforClinicalTrialsinRareDiseases(ECCTRD)

• HRBCentreforHealth&DietResearch(HRB-CHDR)

• InstituteofFoodResearchandInnovation(IFRI)

• NationalCancerRegistry

• NationalPerinatalEpidemiologyCentre(NPEC)

• NeonatalBrainResearchGroup(NBRG)

• OralHealthServicesResearchCentre(OHSRC)

• VitaminDResearchGroup(VDRG)

• EnvironmentalResearchInstitute(ERI)

2.Earth,AtmosphericandOceanSciences(includingEnergy)

• CentreforAtmosphericChemistry(CRAC)

• CoastalandMarineResourcesCentre(CMRC)

• EnvironmentalResearchInstitute(ERI)

• Hydraulics&MaritimeResearchCentre(HMRC)

• IrishMaritimeandEnergyResourceCluster(IMERC)(withCITandtheIrishNavalService)

• Aquaculture&FisheriesDevelopmentCentre(AFDC)

3.PhysicalSciences,EngineeringandMathematicalSciences(includingICT)

• BooleCentreforResearchinInformatics(BCRI)

• CentreforEfficiency-OrientedLanguages(CEOL)

• CentreforUnifiedComputing(CUC)

• CleanerProductionPromotionUnit(CPPU)

• CollaborativeCentreforAppliedNanotechnology(CCAN)(Tyndallled,withCRANN-TCD)

• CorkConstraintComputationCentre(4C)

• EdgeworthCentreforFinancialMathematics(Edgeworth)

• InformaticsResearchUnitinSustainableEngineering(IRUSE)

• InternationalEnergyResearchCentre(IERC)(Tyndallled)

• MicroelectronicsCompetenceCentreIreland(MCCI)(Tyndall-ledwithUL)

• TyndallNationalInstitute(Tyndall)

4.Arts,HumanitiesandSocialSciences

• AtlasofIrishNames

• ElectronicCorpusofIrishLiterature&History(CELT)

• InstituteforSocialScienceinthe21stCentury(ISS-21)

• IrishCentreforMigrationStudies

• IrishPlacenamesandTitleNames(LOCUS)

• TheNorthsideFolkloreProject

5.BusinessandLaw

• BusinessInformationSystems(BIS)

• CentreforCo-operativeStudies(CCS)

• CentreforCriminalJusticeandHumanRights(CCJHR)

• CentreforInvestmentResearch(CIR)

• CentreforSustainableLivelihoods(CSC)

• FinancialServicesInnovationCentre(FSIC)

• HealthInformationSystemsResearchCentre(HISRC)

AppendixB:UCCThematicAreas&AssociatedResearchAreas

1. BiologicalandMedicalSciences

a. GutHealth

b. Cancer

c. Epidemiology&PublicHeath

d. Women&ChildHealth

e. Ageing

f. VascularBiology

g. Pharmaceuticals/Biopharmaceuticals

h. BiomedicalDevices

i. CellBiology&CellSignalling

j. EnvironmentalMicrobialGenomics

k. Food,Nutrition&Health

l. FoodScienceandTechnology

m.MarineScience

n. Forestry

APPENDICES

15


2.Earth,AtmosphericandOceanSciences(includingEnergy)

a. OceanEnergy

b. SustainableEnergyEndUse

c. SustainableEnergySupplyTechnologies

d. SolarCells

e. Biodiversity&ResourceManagement

f. Ecotoxicology&Sustainability

g. EnvironmentalChemistry

h. AtmosphericChemistry

i. Aquaculture&Fisheries

j. EnergyPolicy&ClimateChange

k. SustainableBioresources&GreenTechnologies

l. Geosciences&CoastalProcesses

m.Geomatics&RemoteSensing

3.PhysicalSciences,EngineeringandMathematicalSciences(includingICT)

a. Nanoscience&Technology(Nanoelectronics)

b. MicrosystemsforCommunications,Energy,Health&theEnvironment

c. Photonics(&ElectronicSystemsforCommunications,Healthcare,Energy,andtheEnvironment)

d. EmbeddedSystems(includingCircuitDesign)

e. CloudTechnologiesandNetworks

f. DecisionSupport,HumanComputerInteraction&Media

g. SmartBuildings

h. FinancialMathematics&ActuarialScience(FMAS)

4.Arts,HumanitiesandSocialSciences

a. NewPoverties,HumanRights,&SocialJustice*

b. DigitalCultures

c. BeyondIdentities

d CreativeEducations

e. EnvironmentalCitizenship,EcologicalPolitics&GlobalJustice*

5 BusinessandLaw

a. FinancialServices&FinancialMathematics

b. Globalization,Regulation&Competitiveness,Governance&Accountability

c. NewPoverties,HumanRights,&SocialJustice*

d. EnvironmentalCitizenship,EcologicalPolitics&GlobalJustice*

*Researchareathatcrossestwothematicareas

NationalResearchPriorityAreas

UCCRef.

UCCResearchAreasSupportingUCCCentres&Institutes*#

ConnectedHealth&IndependentLiving

3.bMicrosystemsforCommunications,Energy,HealthandtheEnvironment

Tyndall,MCCI

3.d EmbeddedSystems(includingCircuitDesign) CEOL,4C,Tyndall

3.cPhotonics(andElectronicSystemsforCommunications,Healthcare,Energy,andtheEnvironment)

Tyndall

5.a FinancialServicesandFinancialMathematics FSIC

1.e Ageing CNG,FHI,APC,HISRC

DataAnalyticsManagement,Security&Privacy

3.e CloudTechnologiesandNetworks BCRI,CUC

3.f DecisionSupport,HumanComputerInteractionandMedia 4C,CUC,HISRC


Diagnostics

1BiologicalandMedicalSciencesThematicArea(1a,1b,1d,1f,1h,1i,1j,1k)

RefertoAppendixA


Tyndall,MCCI,CCAN


Tyndall,Edgeworth

DigitalPlatforms,Content&Applications


Tyndall,MCCI

3.e CloudTechnologiesandNetworks BCRI,CUC

3.f DecisionSupport,HumanComputerInteractionandMedia 4C,CUC,HISRC

4.b DigitalCultures ISS-21,LOCUS,CELT

AppendixC:AlignmentofUCCResearchAreasandSupportingCentresandInstituteswithNationalResearchPriorityAreas—AnOverview

*RefertoAppendixAfordefinitions#AnexerciseisunderwaytomapresearchundertakeninDepartmentsandSchoolstotheNationalResearchPriorityAreas;theCollegeofSEFShascompletedthisprocess

AppendixCcontinuedoverleaf


16

AppendixCcontinued

NationalResearchPriorityAreas

UCCRef.

UCCResearchAreasSupportingUCCCentres&Institutes*#

FoodforHealth

1.a GutHealth APC

1.k Food,NutritionandHealth APC,HRB-CHDR,AFDC

1.j EnvironmentalMicrobialGenomics ELDERMET,Biomerit

FutureNetworks&Communications



Tyndall,MCCI

3.a Nanoscience&Technology(Nanoelectronics) Tyndall,CCAN

InnovationinServicesandBusinessProcesses

5.a FinancialServicesandFinancialMathematics BIS,CIR,FSIC,Edgeworth

5.bGlobalization,Regulation&Competitiveness,Governance&Accountability

BIS,CCS,CIR,FSIC

ManufacturingCompetitiveness

5.a FinancialServicesandFinancialMathematics BIS,CIR,FSIC

5.bGlobalization,Regulation&Competitiveness,Governance&Accountability

BIS,CCS,CIR,FSIC

MarineRenewableEnergy

2Earth,AtmosphericandOceanSciences(includingEnergy)ThematicArea(2a–2m)

RefertoAppendixA


Tyndall,MCCI

MedicalDevices

1.h BiomedicalDevicesCCRC,CRVB,Tyndall,NBRG,CCAN,MCCI

1.f VascularBiology CRVB


Tyndall

ProcessingTechnologiesandNovelMaterials

3.a Nanoscience&Technology(Nanoelectronics) Tyndall,CCAN

1.k FoodScience&Technology IFRI

SmartGrids&SmartCities

3.g SmartBuildings ITOBO,IRUSE,4C,CPPU,IERC

3.b MicrosystemsforEnergy,HealthandtheEnvironment Tyndall,MMCI


Tyndall,PiFAS,PSG,Edgeworth

SustainableFoodProductionandProcessing

1.k FoodScience&Technology IFRI

1.l MarineScience AFDC

1.m Forestry ERI


Tyndall

Therapeutics-synthesisformulation,processinganddrugdelivery

1.g Pharmaceuticals/Biopharmaceuticals ABCRF,APC,

1.a GutHealth APC

1.b Cancer CCRC,BSI,NCR

1.d Women&ChildHealth Anu,NBRG,NPEC,HISRC


Tyndall

UCCResearchInstitute/Centre NationalResearchPriorityArea

InstituteofFoodResearchandInnovation(IFRI) FoodforHealth;SustainableFoodProductionandProcessing

GeorgeBooleInstituteFutureNetworks&Communications;DataAnalytics,Management,Security&Privacy;DigitalPlatforms,Content&Applications

DigitalAcademy DigitalPlatforms,Content&Applications

MedicineandHealth(“Five-in-Five”)ConnectedHealthandIndependentLiving;MedicalDevices;Diagnostics;Therapeutics:Synthesis,Formulation,ProcessingandDrugDelivery;FoodforHealth

AppendixD:NewInitiativesmappedtoNationalResearchPriorityAreas

www.ucc.ie

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